Before you mix another song, read this

Do you believe there’s such a thing as a perfect mix? Are there songs or mixes you love that you describe as perfect?

For me, ‘Hey Jude’ is a perfect song and ‘Let’s Dance’ is a perfect mix.

But do you think either Paul McCartney or Bob Clearmountain set out to create a perfect song or a perfect mix?

If you know any humans, the idea of creating something perfect from the outset is incredibly daunting to most of us. Having a belief that everything has to be perfect or the best from the very start is incredibly harmful and limiting. It could also prevent you from getting started in the first place.
 

How many people do you know that describe themselves as perfectionists?

 
Maybe you’re a perfectionist yourself. If so, my advice is to seriously think about how that behaviour benefits or affects your creative life.

When the perfect expectation for what you want to create doesn’t quite match reality, you experience pain in the form of disappointment. Have you ever had that experience?

It sucks.

And as much as I don’t want to feel that way, I don’t want you to feel that way either!
 

Eliminating the idea of your music having to be perfect is one of the most important decisions you will ever make

 
When I say your music, I mean any music you’re writing, recording, producing or mixing for yourself or anyone else.

I’m a reformed perfectionist and in particular, I always wanted my mixes to sound perfect. I could never really understand why anything I mixed didn’t sound like the music I’d hear on the radio or on a Spotify playlist. So, I’d actually end up fighting with my mixes and trying to wrestle them into submission rather than enjoying the creative process.

I was always happy when the mixes were complete but the process itself wasn’t as enjoyable as it should have been. The happiness very often stemmed from a feeling of relief that the mixing process was over rather than the sheer enjoyment of the experience of mixing.

Over time, I got sense and analysed what was really going on. I stopped wanting things to be perfect and stopped comparing myself to the greatest artists in the world.

Instead, I started referencing ideas in music and applying them to my own work. Unsurprisingly, that was a much more healthy and constructive approach!

I also went to work on killing the perfectionist in me. I knew that nothing would ever be truly perfect and anything I ever put out into the world would always be open for criticism. That includes criticism from myself a few days, weeks or months down the line.

But I began to view that criticism in a different light. Being aware of how far I had come each time I went through the mixing process spurred me on and made me want to improve over and over again.

I truly started to enjoy the process of mixing because I was no longer focused on creating perfection.

Then, something amazing happened. I knew I hadn’t mastered the art of mixing but I did feel like there were things I was doing in every mix that worked. I’m not talking about exact EQ or compressor settings but I am talking about concepts that worked. I was analysing my own work and refining the process. I was developing a method.

The idea of putting together a mixing method and knowing that certain things needed to be done in every mix began to help me think even more creatively. It totally changed how I viewed mixing and the creative process and I fell in love with the art of mixing all over again.

By going through that experience, I learned that if you’re going to focus on something to perfect, then let that be your method.
 

Taking a methodical approach to mixing will change how you mix forever

 
There’s no point in focusing on adding in a kick sample, spending 3 days on getting your kick sounding “perfect” and then the rest of your mix sounds like someone playing the tuba through a giant wet sock.

Please don’t do that to yourself. But if you’ve ever played the tuba through a giant wet sock, then that’s something I want to see, so send videos my way!

Ok… enough about that…

I don’t think you should focus on creating the perfect mix. I think you should focus on creating the perfect mixing method.
 

Here’s why I think you should focus on perfecting your mixing method:

1. My choices of a perfect song (Hey Jude) and a perfect mix (Let’s Dance) are probably not your idea of a perfect song or a perfect mix. That’s the beauty of music… it’s entirely subjective. But if you focus on creating a perfect mix and then release it to the world thinking it’s perfect, how will you feel when someone doesn’t agree? I can’t imagine that feeling would be too good.
2. I’ve never created a perfect mix and I never will. You never will either. That’s not to say you won’t create incredible, life changing musical experiences or win Grammy awards. That’s entirely possible. But even if you think the work you’re creating now is absolutely perfect, you won’t feel the same when you hear it in five years… unless you’re an egomaniac. Then I can’t help you!
3. Systems work. That’s why paint-by-numbers coloring books exist. There’s a plan to achieve the end result. It’s exactly the same with mixing but you can get even more creative than mixing-by-numbers!
4. The best mixers have a method. Whether they mention it or not, every great mixer and every great musician has a method. It evolves and adapts over time. And speaking of time…
5. You’ll save time. A methodical approach cuts out wasted time. You’re busy so don’t waste time. Get great results faster than ever before by giving your method some attention.
6. You will always focus on perfecting something. It’s natural to want things to be the best they possibly can be. It’s human nature. So, rather than putting all that pressure on yourself and trying to create a perfect piece of art, focus on perfecting the method. You’ll learn so many new skills that the benefits will transfer over into your music and your listeners will hear the difference.
7. You’ll enjoy mixing. You create music because you love it. Don’t take the fun out of it during the mixing process. I guarantee you that a methodical approach frees you up to be incredibly creative and advances your skills much further than taking any sort of erratic approach to mixing.
8. Trust me. It works!

 

The simple truth is this…

 
Aiming to create a perfect mix or a perfect song from the start is not going to help you. You’ll create perfect mixes in the eyes and ears of many listeners without aiming to get there. That’s the beauty of music making. There are many people who will think what you’ve created is perfect and a masterpiece. And there are many who won’t. It’s like any other art form.

But if you’re stuck being a perfectionist and working on “the mix from hell” that never gets finished, then they’ll never get to hear it.

Look, I still fall into the trap of wanting things to be perfect. Like I said – it’s human nature. So when I do feel my inner perfectionist rising from the ashes, I get to work on perfecting my mixing method. I focus on what will really make a difference to my mixing and why I’m doing those things.

That better understanding of my own method spurs me on to improve it and learn new skills. Those new skills get added to my method and I have a new iteration that will help me get my mixes sounding better than ever. It’s a constantly evolving process of never-ending improvement.

I might never achieve perfection but I’ll definitely love what I’m doing.

Why don’t you take the pressure off yourself and join me in taking the same approach?

 

Now, I’d love to know…

Are you or have you ever been a perfectionist? Does it help or hinder your progress? Be honest!
 
Leave a comment below!

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